“God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.” ... Daniel Webster ...
These posts will reflect my personal opinions, and views, of the world in which we live from, of course, the viewpoint of a conservative "Southern American".

Friday, March 11, 2011

Was Clapper Right About China? YES!

Was DNI Clapper Right About China? YES!A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet.

Although James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence, is accused of having “blown it” by stating his belief that China presents the greatest threat to America at this time … I happen to believe that he may have inadvertently (Maybe intentionally?) swerved into the truth.

Don’t misunderstand; I have never been comfortable with Mr. Clapper in the EXTREMELY important position to which President Obama appointed him. I thought it was a very bad call on the President’s part, one of many such bad decisions made by our current President. And, just so we are clear on this: I’d like to see Mr. Clapper removed from his position as Director of National Intelligence. In fact, I’d like to see the position, itself, abolished. Seems to me it only adds another layer through which vital intelligence information must be filtered before it can be acted upon.

We have been predicting, for many years, that the next great shooting war will be between the US and China. I see no reason to change my mind now. In fact, as the US grows weaker and China grows stronger, each by the day, it seems, a military conflict between the two powers in almost inevitable.

Oh, I hear from readers that war between the US and China will never happen because we need each other. The US needs China’s money and China needs the American market place in which to sell their cheap products.

That is a wrong-headed conclusion, in my estimation. If you hold, that view, may I suggest you read “The Art of War” by Sun Tsu. Oh. Did I mention Sun Tzu was Chinese? Uh-huh. And, yes, I have read it and still, to this day refer to it. It was an invaluable tool when I was running a very competitive business in a very competitive market.

One of the most important statements made by Sun Tzu was this: “All warfare is based on deception.” The Chinese are masters of deception especially in warfare.

Remember, in the 1950’s the US fought China in Korea. Of course, the few North Korean soldiers left by the time we swept north over the 38th parallel, heading toward the Chinese frontier, joined forces with the Chinese. But, for all practical purposes, we were fighting the Chinese when we were forced to retreat due to their superior numbers and our exhausted troops and inferior weapons. As we replenished our strength and munitions we managed to push the Chinese back to the 38th parallel and a “cease fire” was signed. Notice: it was a “cease fire” and not a “peace treaty.”

Technically, a state of war still exists today on the Korean peninsula. The US had some 30 thousand troops stationed just south of that dividing line and, frankly, they amount to only a speed bump if the North Koreans and/or the Chinese decide to pour south across the border again. In other words, American troops stationed in Korea will be sacrificed to buy time for US reinforcements to arrive.

Taiwan is expected to be the flash point for any war with China, but, I would think BOTH Korea and Taiwan, bursting into open warfare simultaneously, would work better for China as it would divide the US military effort and decrease the American’s ability to resist a Chinese onslaught at both points of the conflagration.

Since last our two sides met in open warfare China has built a small, but growing, blue water navy and a coastal navy, as well as an undersea service with a few very capable submarines, which, needless to say, the US tracks endlessly. Not to mention their ground force is colossal!

That Chinese Navy is about to sail out into direct confrontation with US Fleets in the Pacific.

A war between these two economic giants would be a bloody brawl. And both sides know it. But, I cannot shake the belief that China is planning for war with the US every day -- all over the globe. When they feel the time is right – they will attack.

They have the capability to blind the US military by knocking our military satellites out of the sky and striking the US with massive cyber attacks that would cripple our ability to deploy our military where they are needed, and when they are needed, and even to disrupt out supply of munitions and materiel to troops in the field.

China is, at this moment a formidable enemy, able to strike the US anywhere, at anytime, even in outer space.

The Sino-American War IS coming and we had best prepare. But, sad to say, we won’t. I mean, heck, even the DNI is being politically crucified for suggesting China is our most menacing enemy at this moment in time.

I have to tell you, even though I believe Clapper is wrong on a lot of things – I believe he is right about this.

About Me

J. D. Longstreet is a conservative Southern American (A native sandlapper and an adopted Tar Heel) with a deep passion for the history, heritage, and culture of the southern states of America. At the same time he is a deeply loyal American believing strongly in “America First”.